Welcome to the ultimate destination for dog enthusiasts and social media mavens alike. At Dogfluencers, we're passionate about showcasing the best and brightest in the world of four-legged fame.
Whether you're looking for adorable photos, heartwarming stories, or expert tips on how to turn your own pup into a social media star, we've got you covered.
Today we got the honor of interviewing Wrench (Bolt's Human). You can find a direct link to their Instagram here.
Here is their story:
Can you tell us about your journey to becoming a dog influencer? What inspired you to start sharing your dog's adventures on social media?
Walker: I've always loved animals and since I first logged onto the internet back when I was a kid, I followed any animal account I could find. When pet influencers became a big thing I was very inspired to do it myself so when I got Bolt, who is the first dog I've owned myself, I decided to take the leap and do it and it's been a lot of fun so far!
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Walker: The main thing is how he looks, especially combined with his name it's like he's Bolt from the Disney movie come to life! He can also be a bit goofy which people enjoy, I hope to show this side of him more throughout our journey.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Walker: I tend to get my reel ideas from other dogfluencers, if there's a trending audio or type of content then I'll hop on the trend. Usually, I try to find a video of Bolt that I previously recorded that fits the reel idea but sometimes I'll record one just for the reel. With picture posts I usually only post ones I think will be funny or where he's looking particularly handsome. Most of my pictures I go to specific places to take them and try to get them as high quality as possible.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Walker: Thankfully no negativity yet, though we are still a pretty small account.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Walker: Just do it! It took me a while after getting Bolt to make boltpaws and I regret not making the account sooner and showing even more of our journey but I was worried about being consistent and assumed I'd just forget about the account. Also, asking for help is okay! I was terrified to speak to bigger dogfluencers when I first started out and didn't know a lot about posting, algorithms etc. but when I got over that fear I've met some great people and gotten some great advice!
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Walker: I have autism which makes it hard to do a lot of things, especially on my own. Before I got Bolt I was struggling a lot, I barely left the house and when I did I definitely couldn't speak to people but my life did a 180 when I got Bolt. I'm now often outside for hours, I can speak to people on walks and I generally feel much safer and more confident with him by my side!
Can you tell us about a particularly memorable or funny moment you've had with your dog during one of your photo shoots or adventures?
Walker: Our most memorable moment was a very simple one but it made me super proud. I took Bolt to a dog-friendly restaurant when I trusted him enough to be calm, I was still expecting to not be able to stay long but he was perfect. The entire time he slept under the table. He also got a lot of attention from both the employees and customers - which he loved. It was a very nice day and I don't think I'll ever forget it.
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Walker: The community. I've met so many nice people thanks to Bolt and it's amazing to be able to share our journey with them. It's always been hard for me to find somewhere I fit in but Bolt opened that door for me and helped me find my place.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Walker: We have a very busy summer ahead of us, lots of trips planned that we can't wait to share!
